The wait is on. Season two of Severance has come to a close, providing us with more answers than anticipated, yet also raising new, unforeseen questions. For a comprehensive breakdown, you can refer to our coverage here. Additionally, we had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with the show’s creator, Dan Erickson, discussing the season’s conclusion with all spoilers on the table.

Erickson, understandably, did not disclose any information about season three or beyond, if it happens. However, we delved into the season’s ending, explored some of the significant questions that arose throughout, and gained insight into what viewers should focus on as they await the return of their favorite Macrodata Refiners to Lumon and Apple TV+.

Germain Lussier, io9: The primary objective of this season was rescuing Gemma, but can you elaborate on how you balanced telling that story with setting up the season’s conclusion, particularly Mark’s decision to choose Helly?

Dan Erickson: Honestly, it was all intertwined. I found it intriguing to begin Mark’s journey with his quest. Literally, the season opens with him rushing out to find Gemma, not out of love, but because his “outie” loves her, and he feels responsible. Over the course of the season, Mark’s character development led him to value his own life, love, and priorities equally to those of his “outie.” He came to realize he was a human deserving of the things he wanted. This realization is crucial in the finale when he chooses Helly over Gemma, as he doesn’t feel love for Gemma but for the person behind him.

io9: The finale provided answers to several significant questions, including those about the goats, Cold Harbor, and the numbers. Can you discuss how you decided which questions to answer this season and which to hold back? Was there any hesitation about providing those answers this season?

Erickson: The show’s structure allows for questions within questions. We’ve answered some direct questions, like the meaning of the numbers and Mark’s wife’s whereabouts, but the bigger, scarier questions remain. We aimed to create a sense of clawing out of a box from the inside, where the full picture isn’t clear until you’re out. This approach lets us answer direct questions while leaving the larger “why” unanswered.

io9: Building on that, is there more to the story of why Mark and Gemma were chosen for Cold Harbor? We got hints in “Chikhai Bardo,” but I’m curious if that storyline is concluded or if there’s more to explore.

Erickson: That’s something we’ll have to wait and see.

io9: “Woe’s Hollow” stands out as the weirdest episode in an already unusual season. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Is the content in that episode, such as the location, the doppelgangers, and the Kier family, crucial to the story moving forward, or is it just a fun, weird element you like to explore?

Erickson: I won’t say, but I will note that sometimes viewers ask if certain elements are just for the sake of being weird. As a fan of the Mad Max films, I appreciate the world-building that introduces systems, groups, and cultures we only glimpse, raising questions about the world’s workings. Some aspects of our show are like that, intentionally left unexplored for the fun of speculation. However, when we directly point at something, we feel obligated to explain it.

io9: That’s fair. Season two expanded the world beyond Kier, showing places like Woe’s Hollow and Salt’s Neck. Does this expansion factor into your plans for the story’s progression?

Erickson: Yes, I think so. We had seen bits of the outside world before, like Ganz College, but the show has a unique relationship with the outside world. We’ve never been to a real place, and when at Lumon, there’s a sense of being out of time and space. This disorientation extends to the outside world. It’s intentional that we don’t know the exact location. However, we wanted to build the sense of a larger world and that our characters are part of something bigger.

io9: The world of Severance is interesting, with characters using iPhones but driving cars from before 1980. I also noticed Mark’s persistent coughing; is this a side effect of reintegration or is there more to it?

Erickson: [Pause] You might get a different answer from someone else, but to me, the coughing is a side effect of reintegration.

io9: It appears this season focused on Cold Harbor, Mark, and Gemma within the MDR department. Will all MDR departments follow the same protocols, or do you plan to elaborate more on what MDR entails in general?

Erickson: I won’t delve into it too much. We see that other branches know how to perform the procedure, but there’s a question, even within our MDR group, about who the others are refining, if anyone. This remains a question.

io9: I enjoyed Mr. Milchick’s confrontation with Drummond in “The After Hours.” It was a fun moment. However, he seems to forget about it the next day, as seen with his dancing. Was this hint of defiance significant to the character’s development, or is it just a minor aspect of his personality?

Erickson: Yes, it is significant. Milchick genuinely cares about his job and wants to bring humanity and joy to the innies. He’s growing tired of those above him and their treatment of him. Sometimes, in toxic systems, we direct our anger at those closest to us rather than questioning the system itself. This reaction is very human, and it’s interesting to see how he chooses to express his frustration.

io9: Unfortunately, this is my last question, and you might not be able to answer it, but if and when we get a season three, what should fans be focusing on as they look forward to more Severance?

Erickson: The question for Mark and Helly now is “What’s next?” They’ve chosen to continue living, but they don’t know what that means in terms of time or existence. The key question is, what would you do to preserve your existence once you’ve identified as an individual and want to protect that identity?

io9: I appreciate that insight, and I have many more questions, but that’s all the time we have. Thank you for the show and for chatting with us. I look forward to talking to you again for season three.

Erickson: Thank you very much. I’m looking forward to it as well.

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